Drinks and Dining Series – Norwegian Cruise Line
Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus
Before I dive into all that NCL has to offer with food and drinks, I want to explain their biggest promotion, which does affect how you’ll cruise. When booking your cruise, you will be given Free at Sea on top of your cruise fare, Norwegian’s package that adds WIFI and shore excursions, but, more importantly for my purposes, unlimited open bar and specialty dining credits. Free at Sea Plus is an upgraded option that gives you an even more inclusive experience. For more information on what is included, check out the Specialty Dining and Drink Package portions of this blog.
Complimentary Dining
One of the first stops we always made on embarkation day was the buffet. The buffet on Norwegian cruise ships, generally called the Garden Cafe, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers a wide variety of cuisine. This dining spot is a great option for a quick, flexible bite, but it can get crowded and hard to find a table during peak meal hours. Despite the potential wait, the Garden Cafe is the place to go if you’re in the mood for different cuisines such as American, Asian, Italian, and Mexican. The best thing about a cruise buffet is that you can always find something for everyone in the family.
Some Norwegian ships are lucky enough to include multiple buffets, which definitely helps with crowd control. On select ships, you will find The Great Outdoors, an outdoor dining space with great ocean views, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At this venue, you can expect casual fare such as burgers, hot dogs, and ribs. Top Siders Bar & Grill (located on the Dawn, Gem, Jewel, Pearl, Sky, and Sun) is very similar in their style and food options. This buffet, located near the pool, also offers American picnic favorites. Both options are great when you want to enjoy some fresh air while also enjoying a bite to eat.
All Norwegian ships have up to 3 main dining rooms that offer delicious three-course meals. Of those dining rooms, one will be open each day for breakfast and lunch. This cruise line promotes “freestyle cruising,” which is why they do not have set dining times for dinner. Unfortunately, this means you will not be guaranteed the same table and servers every night. Additionally, you will more than likely have to wait to be seated, rather than showing up at your designated time and being escorted to your table shortly thereafter. Luckily, the wait is worth it because the food in the main dining rooms is some of the best. You can expect to see a rotating menu each night with some select favorites that never change. Recently, NCL added a $5 charge for any additional entrees ordered, so if you plan to indulge, just know it’ll cost less.
Beyond the buffets and main dining room, NCL provides plenty of dining options that don’t incur an extra fee. One option that is pretty standard across their fleets is called O’Sheehan’s or The Local, depending on what ship you’re sailing on. The menus are very similar and offer great bar food, including chicken wings, fish and chips, cheeseburgers, and more. Not only is this the perfect quick food if you want to have lunch or dinner outside the main dining room, but these venues are open 24 hours a day, so you can even enjoy breakfast or a late-night snack.
Specialty Dining
In addition to dining options included in your cruise fare, you will also find plenty of specialty dining options across Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. Specialty dining does come at an additional cost, but with the Free at Sea promotion, you will have a set number of meals included in your package. This offer only applies to the first and second guests on the reservation, and the number of meals depends on the length of your cruise. If you upgrade to Free at Sea Plus, you even get 50% off the cover charges on additional specialty dining meals beyond what is included in your cruise. Additionally, if you are dining with children under 13, they will eat for free when ordering from the special kids’ menu.
While you won’t find every specialty dining option on every ship, you will never be disappointed with what NCL has to offer. Their cuisines range from standard steakhouse to French to Asian, with great menus at each. Once it is within 90-130 days of the sailing, they can make specialty dining reservations in the app after making their final payment. When passengers can secure their reservations depends on their specific sailing and stateroom level.
One of our favorite specialty dining options, which is found on all ships across the Norwegian fleet, is Cagney’s Steakhouse. This excellent dining option costs $60 per person (if you are not using your Free at Sea perks), which, in our opinion, is well worth it. From the menu, you can choose one appetizer, one entree with two sides, and one dessert. The entrees are a good portion size, and the steak is cooked to perfection and tastes exceptional. If you are looking for a main dish other than steak, the menu also features a few other items, including lamb chops and grilled shrimp.
Another great specialty dining option found on most ships is Le Bistro. This French-inspired restaurant also has a $60 cover charge outside of the Free at Sea package. On this menu, you will find French staples like Escargots and Coq Au Vin, along with many other delicious options. Additionally, the beef tartare and filet are both raved about, with some even boasting the filet as being better than at Cagney’s. The atmosphere is also very elegant and modern, in line with the French theme and giving the restaurant a high-end feel.
If you’re in the mood for dinner and some entertainment, you should definitely give Teppanyaki a try. This Asian favorite is pretty common across cruise lines, but if you are unfamiliar, it is a hibachi-style Asian restaurant where diners sit around the cooktop and watch their chef make their food in a highly entertaining fashion. This restaurant has a $60 cover charge, but it’s well worth it, as it includes both dinner and a show. The menu features a selection of dishes, but everything comes with fried rice, vegetables, and dipping sauces.
Room Service
If you’re looking to have a meal in your room and want to skip the crowd, room service is the way to go. Although room service is technically complimentary, a service fee is added to each order. Basically, you will not pay à la carte for food, but you can expect to see charges of up to $9.95 and a 20% gratuity on your bill. Despite the extra fee, the menu is hearty and offers many options sure to please everyone. It’s a great way to get some food without leaving the stateroom, especially if you were out late the night before or have some kiddos who need a nap.
In addition to the general items on the room service menu, there is a continental breakfast. For this, the charge is $4.95, and you select your breakfast items the night before for delivery the following day. It is a fan favorite for breakfast because it lets you wake up and get ready while still enjoying the first meal of the day. At the bottom of the menu, you will also find a special occasions section. These options are served à la carte and are higher-end, higher-priced options that allow guests to enjoy a more gourmet selection delivered to their rooms.
There is one exception to the room service menu price, and that is for Haven guests. Included with their stay, guests in the Haven or Haven class suites receive the same room service menu (except for the special occasions section) as included in their cruise fare. Additionally, Haven guests receive white-tablecloth service, which allows them to order from the Haven Restaurant menu and have it delivered to their room. This in-suite dining service is just one of the many perks of being a Haven guest.
Dietary Options
Cruises have become increasingly aware of their passengers’ ever-changing dietary needs. With some facing lactose intolerance while others have a strong sensitivity to things like gluten, the cruise world is adapting to ensure it has plenty of options for all of its guests. Menus are clearly marked with symbols that help passengers understand what each dish contains. Additionally, the servers are very well-versed in the food they serve, which provides peace of mind when a diner has questions about menu allergens.
If you are a vegetarian, you certainly will not have a hard time finding something delicious to eat. Menus across restaurants will certainly have something for you to order, given their many options. If you are sailing on the Aqua, you will definitely want to check out Indulge Food Hall, a complimentary option featuring Planterie, a plant-based option. Their menu includes soups and bowls, with the option to add vegetarian proteins.
If you are dairy-free, like half of our family, then you are also not at a loss for meal options. There are so many dishes to choose from that don’t include dairy, and you can always ask if a dish can be made without dairy as well. The same goes for gluten-free options. While the menu choices aren’t as robust, passengers still rave about the gluten-free options they do receive. Additionally, guests have reported that their servers will request that dishes be made gluten-free when possible.
Sweets and Treats
If you’re like me, once you’ve had your meal, it’s time for something sweet. Of course, the menus across the dining options include a dessert menu you can choose from. The main dining room and buffet have different options throughout the sailing, and these are included in your cruise fare. Overall, the dessert menu at Cagney’s is pretty well reviewed and features my favorite: Crème Brûlée. If the ship you’re sailing on has an observation lounge, it is also an excellent option, as it offers rotating complimentary snacks and desserts throughout the day.
Ships also offer some paid dessert options that are too good not to try. The Bake Shop features French macarons, chocolate bonbons, and gourmet cupcakes. This sweet stop is only available on some ships; on others, the desserts are in the Atrium cafe (still available a la carte). If you’re in the mood for something cold and refreshing, you’ll want to check out Dolce Gelato. The menu includes delicious, fruity, and rich flavors, as well as dairy-free options.
Drinks and Packages
Over the past couple of years, NCL has made several changes to its drink packages. Now, alcoholic beverage packages can be broken down into two categories: Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus. With Free at Sea, guests will enjoy unlimited cocktails and glasses of wine. It is limited as far as which brands of spirits and wines are included, but the package also includes juices and sodas. If you are hoping to purchase a bottle of wine on your cruise, you will receive a 20% discount. One downside to the Free at Sea drink package is that it does not include bottled water or specialty coffees. And unfortunately, as of March 2026, this beverage package will no longer work at Great Stirrup Cay.
Passengers can upgrade to Free at Sea Plus, which, as the name implies, offers even more beverage options. This package includes top-shelf spirits and premium wines, with a 40% discount on all bottles of wine. On the non-alcoholic side, it also includes Starbucks coffees and drinks, bottled water, fresh juices, soda, and even energy drinks. Additionally, this drink package works on Great Stirrup Cay. There is a $49.99 per person, per day cost to upgrade to this package, but it could be well worth it for all the non-alcoholic options it includes (plus additional perks unrelated to beverages).
Regardless of which package you choose for your sailing, every guest must book the same package. This rule is consistent across cruise lines because it prevents guests from sharing packages. Luckily, if you are sailing with guests ages 3-20, they will receive unlimited juice and fountain soda at a discounted gratuity rate, and guests under 3 are free. If you don’t think a drink package would be worth it for you, there is the option to pay per drink. Alcoholic drink prices really vary depending on what type of drink you are ordering and the particular sailing you’re on, but they can range from around $7 to $20.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to indulge while on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, you will have plenty of options. Whether you choose complimentary options or pay extra for specialty foods, you are sure to be pleased with the quality and variety of NCL’s food offerings. Their packages are great for people who want to try new drinks and specialty dining options, but you can’t go wrong when choosing to pay as you go for drinks and extra meals.
*All menus provided in this blog are sample menus directly from Norwegian Cruise Line and are subject to vary by ship and sailing.
